Activists are calling on U.S. consumers to participate in an “economic blackout” Friday in a boycott of companies that have rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion and President Donald Trump’s actions to eliminate federal DEI programs since returning to the White House.
Here’s what Wisconsinites need to know about the boycott and future actions:
What is the consumer “economic blackout” boycott?
The “economic blackout” is a proposed 24-hour boycott set for Friday, Feb. 28. Consumers are urged to avoid spending any money online or in stores — and only support local businesses if there’s an emergency.
Consumers are also urged to not purchase gas, avoid eating at fast food restaurants and avoid going into work if they are able.
The boycott is being organized by a group called The People’s Union and its founder John Schwarz, who uses the Instagram handle “TheOneCalledJai.”
Schwarz told USA TODAY in a Feb. 12 interview the boycott isn’t protesting one specific thing, but the timing was right.
More: Consumers are boycotting major retailers. Here’s what they plan for ‘blackout’ on Feb. 28
What other consumer boycotts are happening?
Friday’s boycott is one of several currently underway and planned throughout the next few months.
The People’s Union has since expanded the boycott to include other actions at different point throughout the spring, USA TODAY reported. These include boycotts of Amazon (March 7-14), Nestle (March 21-28), Walmart (April 7-14) and a second broader one-day economic blackout on April 18.
Local Minneapolis civil rights activists began a national boycott of Target on Feb. 1 to coincide with Black History Month, to rally against the retailer’s rollback of DEI programs.
The faith community has also planned a 40-day fast or boycott of Target because of its retreat from DEI initiatives starting Wednesday, March 5, the start of Lent. A website, targetfast.org, has been created with more information on the initiative.
Social media posts — with the hashtags #LatinoFreezeMovement and #LatinoFreeze — have also encouraged consumers to “hold your money” amid freezes on DEI initiatives, National Institutes of Health funding and immigration actions.
The National Action Network, founded by Rev. Al Sharpton, also said in a Feb. 25 news release that it will announce an authorized boycott at the NAN Convention in early April.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about the Feb. 28 economic blackout in Wisconsin
